Oh……Yirgalem

Colour of my childhood dream;

The ray that made my eyes open

Over that golden horizon.

The roots, fruits, lush greenery;

Waterberry, taro, blackberry

Draped and adorned ;

As a glamourous bride.

Did he show you respect?

When he clad you in a cape;

Did he give you titles?

I think of you today and noticed.

Nature’s trumpet and bugle

The sound of alarm, at your square

Who is there to mind?

And rise to be your shield.

I longed for you in my travels

To reach you, my humble home.

Only to find you in ruins

My yearning changed to gloom.

By Debebe Seifu – Translated by B. Attfield